Covering Sinkholes

February 20, 2014 — by Marvin Williams

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Read: Psalm 32:1-5

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. —Psalm 32:1

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 26-27; Mark 2

In late May 2010, tropical storm Agatha hit Central America, producing torrential rains and landslides. Once it finished its course, a 200-foot-deep sinkhole opened in downtown Guatemala City. This sinkhole caused the ground to collapse suddenly, sucking land, electrical poles, and a 3-story building into the depths of the earth.

Though sinkholes can be devastating, the most universal and damaging sinkhole is the one that happens in the human heart. King David was an example of this.

The surface of David’s life looked stable; however, his interior life rested on a fragile foundation. After his sins of adultery and murder, David thought he had successfully hidden his treacherous acts (2 Sam. 11–12). However, God’s intense conviction after Nathan’s confrontation caused him to realize that denying the presence of sin in his life weakened the foundation of his spiritual life. To prevent this spiritual sinkhole from worsening, David acknowledged his sin to God in repentance (Ps. 32:5). As a result, God covered David’s sin and gave him the joy of forgiveness.

We too will experience God’s grace when we confess our sins to Him. He will completely forgive and cover our spiritual sinkholes.

Thinking It Over
What habitual sins, secret addictions, or hidden
vulnerabilities are weakening your interior life?
Remember, God longs to give you complete forgiveness.

When we uncover our sins in repentance God will cover them.

Insight

Psalm 32 is one of the seven penitential psalms (Pss. 6,38,51,102,130,143), which are prayers confessing sins and turning to the Lord for His mercy and forgiveness. For about a year after his adultery with Bathsheba, David refused to admit that he had sinned—that is, until the prophet Nathan confronted him (2 Sam. 11–12). As a result, David penned Psalms 32 and 51. In today’s psalm, David celebrates the forgiveness he received (vv.1-2), warns of the terrible burden of living with unconfessed sins (vv.3-4), and encourages sinners to repent or face chastening by the Lord (vv.3-6,8-11). In the New Testament, Paul quotes Psalm 32:1-2 to show how God forgives sinners—by grace through faith alone (see Rom. 4:6-8).

1 Peter 5:8-9 Always Be Watchful

FEBRUARY 17, 2014

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV)

It seems to me that when I feel closest to Christ and everything is going well is when I should be the most cautious. I should call in for reinforcements to cover my rear and keep my head on a swivel to assure I am looking out for an attack in every direction. Unfortunately, for most of us that’s not our typical course of action. We tend to let our guard down further because we embrace a false sense of security because of the feeling that we are close to God (see Romans 7:21 – So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.)

This sense of closeness to God can be genuine, but the belief that you can’t or won’t stumble into sin is clearly flawed. I find that it is in these situations that I run into multiple stumbling blocks in my path and I end up tripping on at least one of them. I could have easily spotted the obstacles and avoided the fall but was too caught up in how good everything was in my relationship with Christ. Failing to keep at least one eye on the lookout in end cost me the very thing that I felt was going so well, my closeness to Christ.

Now even the most vigilant among us are going to stub their toe once in awhile because we are human, therefore sinners and fall short of the Glory of God. Therefore we can take comfort in knowing that all of our brothers and sisters in Christ have similar experiences and suffer at one time or another from failure to stay on watch at all times. Even though we will all fall short at one time or another throughout our life, it is important to head Peter’s words and always try to “Be sober-minded; be watchful”. Our next fall could be closer than we think.

On Listening

February 17, 2014 — by Julie Ackerman Link

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Read: Exodus 16:1-8

Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. —Ecclesiastes 5:2

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 21-22; Matthew 28

God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason,” the saying goes. The ability to listen is an essential life skill. Counselors tell us to listen to each other. Spiritual leaders tell us to listen to God. But hardly anyone says, “Listen to yourself.” I’m not suggesting that we have an inner voice that always knows the right thing to say. Nor am I saying we should listen to ourselves instead of to God and others. I’m suggesting that we need to listen to ourselves in order to learn how others might be receiving our words.

The Israelites could have used this advice when Moses was leading them out of Egypt. Within days of their miraculous deliverance, they were complaining (Ex. 16:2). Although their need for food was legitimate, their way of expressing the need was not (v.3).

Whenever we speak out of fear, anger, ignorance, or pride—even if what we say is true—those who listen will hear more than our words. They hear emotion. But they don’t know whether the emotion comes from love and concern or disdain and disrespect, so we risk misunderstanding. If we listen to ourselves before speaking out loud, we can judge our hearts before our careless words harm others or sadden our God.

Lord, help me to think before I speak, to
check my heart. Help me to control my tongue
and to express myself clearly so that I won’t
cause dissension. Set a guard on my lips.

Words spoken rashly do more harm than good.

True Love

February 14, 2014 — by Jennifer Benson Schuldt

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Read: John 15:9-17

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. —John 15:13

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 15-16; Matthew 27:1-26

During the rehearsal for my brother’s wedding ceremony, my husband snapped a picture of the bride and groom as they faced each other in front of the pastor. When we looked at the photograph later, we noticed that the camera’s flash had illuminated a metal cross in the background, which appeared as a glowing image above the couple.

The photograph reminded me that marriage is a picture of Christ’s love for the church as shown on the cross. When the Bible instructs husbands to love their wives (Eph. 5:25), God compares that kind of faithful, selfless affection to Christ’s love for His followers. Because Christ sacrificed His life for the sake of love, we are all to love each other (1 John 4:10-11). He died in our place, so that our sin would not keep us separate from God for eternity. He lived out His words to the disciples: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Many of us suffer from the pain of abandonment, rejection, and betrayal. Despite all of this, through Christ we can understand the sacrificial, compassionate, and enduring nature of true love. Today, remember that you are loved by God. Jesus said so with His life.

Nothing speaks more clearly of God’s love than the cross of Jesus.

Insight

In the ancient Roman hierarchy, to be a “friend of Caesar” meant having a close relationship with the highest seat of power. Such “friends” knew the emperor so well that they actually opened his mail and carried on his correspondence. They also showed a willingness to serve the emperor as he directed. So it is for the follower of Christ today. The Lord Jesus has called us “friends” (John 15:15). He has let us in on His intimacy with His Father and wants us to share His message of love with others. Certainly, to be the friend of Jesus is to be in relationship with the highest seat of power (Phil. 2:5-11).

Hyperseeing

February 12, 2014 — by David H. Roper

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Read: Romans 8:28-30

When He is revealed, we shall be like Him. —1 John 3:2

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 13; Matthew 26:26-50

Sculptors have a term for the artist’s ability to look at a rough piece of stone and see it in its final, perfected form. It is called “hyperseeing.”

Gutzon Borglum (1867–1941) is the sculptor who created many well-known public works of art. Probably the most famous is Mt. Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota. Borglum’s housekeeper captured the concept of hyperseeing when she gazed up at the massive faces of the four US presidents on Mt. Rushmore for the first time. “Mr. Borglum,” she gasped, “how did you know Mr. Lincoln was in that rock?”

Hyperseeing is also a good description of our all-seeing God. He sees all that we are and more. He sees what we shall be when He has completed His work and we stand before Him, holy and without blemish: the exact likeness, the very image of Jesus. The God who started this great work in you will keep at it until He completes it on the very day Jesus Christ appears (see Phil. 1:6).

God will not be denied! He has such a longing for our perfection that nothing can or will remain an obstacle until He has finished the work He began so long ago.

If only . . . if only we will put ourselves in the Master Sculptor’s hands.

Doubt whispers, “Thou art such a blot;
He cannot love poor thee.”
If what I am He lovest not,
He loves what I shall be. —MacDonald

God works in us to grow us into what He wants us to be.

Insight

Today’s Scripture reading has sometimes been misused by well-intentioned Christians. When a believer has been devastated by the loss of a loved one, another believer may glibly quote: “All things work together for good” (v.28). But for someone feeling the hurt and loss of grief, this statement usually provides little consolation. A more careful examination of the biblical text offers an important insight. The broader context shows that the blessings and bruises believers experience must be understood as part of the process of being conformed to the image of Christ. We may not understand why a person was taken from us in this life, but by faith we can have the assurance that all life experiences work together to make us more like Jesus Christ.

just a test

Just testing this blog. have never done it before. God is soooo good. Praise the Lord!!!

The Power Of Music

February 10, 2014 — by Bill Crowder

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Read: Psalm 59:6-16

I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. —Psalm 59:16

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 8-10; Matthew 25:31-46

In Wales, the music of men’s chorus groups is deeply engrained in the culture. Prior to World War II, one Welsh glee club had a friendly yet competitive rivalry with a German glee club, but that bond was replaced with animosity during and after the war. The tension was gradually overcome, though, by the message on the trophy shared by the two choruses: “Speak with me, and you’re my friend. Sing with me, and you’re my brother.”

The power of music to heal and help is a gift from God that comforts many. Perhaps that is why the Psalms speak so deeply to us. There we find lyrics that connect with our hearts, allowing us to speak to God from the depth of our spirits. “But I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble” (Ps. 59:16). Amazingly, David wrote this song as he was being hunted down by men seeking to kill him! Despite his circumstances, David remembered God’s power and mercy, and singing of them encouraged him to go on.

May our God give us a song today that will remind us of His goodness and greatness, no matter what we may face.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long. —Crosby

“I will make music to the Lord, the God of Israel.” —Judges 5:3 (nlt)

Insight

David did not immediately assume the throne after Samuel the prophet anointed him king of Israel. In fact, despite the promise of God, David had to run for his life. Today’s psalm was written by David while he was fleeing from his predecessor Saul. Here, David describes the actions of evil men (vv.6-7) but expresses confidence in the sovereignty of God (vv.8-10).

A Place to Rest

We say… we cry out,

“Lord I am so weary, so tired,

I simply can’t do this anymore.”

There is great truth in that.

We really can’t,

He never intended us to.

He replies, “Come to Me

All you who are weary

And heavy laden

I will give you REST”

Our heart screams out,

I can’t I don’t know how!!!”

He understands our inability.

He knew we would not and could not.

He came to prepare the way.

He is The Way.

This Rest is SHALOM.

It is PEACE.

It is REPOSE.

He said,

"In repentance and rest is your salvation,

in quietness and trust is your strength,

but you would have none of it.”

His heart draws us, ever so tenderly,

Again and again,

Moment by moment,

Into His pure, holy, gentle embrace

Of Pure Love.

He quiets us with His love.

As we learn to trust, to lean and to rely on Him.

Our heart begins to “know”,

In a way words cannot express,

That maybe, just maybe it is true

We ARE His Beloved One.

Scripture References:

Isa 30:15

Matthew 11:28

John 14:6

Zep 3:17

For Just a little While

For Just a Little While
Today's Scripture will start with the very last word of 1 Peter 1:4, just so you know who it is talking about, and go through verse 7,
…you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Notice in verse 6 it says, Though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials.  That phrase "a little while" literally means a season.  The King James Version says, Though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.
I like the phrase "a little while".  That tells me the season is going to end.  It is not forever.  Every season ends.  Winter ends.  Spring ends.  Summer ends.  Fall ends.  Every season has a beginning, and every season has an end.
If you are in a trial right now and feeling the weight of it, you are grieved because of it,  I have good news.  It will not be forever.  Things are going to change.  It may not seem like it, but that season will come to an end.
Even if you are not experiencing a trial today, I am confident you have gone through such a season, and it is likely that you will probably experience such a season again.
When you do, or if you are today, be encouraged.  God's Word wants you—and me—to remember it is for just a little while.

Unintentional

February 8, 2014 — by Dennis Fisher

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Read: Leviticus 4:1-3; Romans 3:21-26

If a person sins unintentionally . . . let him offer to the Lord . . . a young bull without blemish. —Leviticus 4:2-3

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 4-5; Matthew 24:29-51

When I was returning our grandson Alex to his family after a visit, the traffic seemed especially challenging. Fast-maneuvering cars blocked me from the correct toll lane, forcing me to go through a lane where only cars with a prepaid pass are permitted, which I didn’t have. Alex told me that my license plate would be photographed and a ticket might be mailed to me. I was frustrated because a penalty would have to be paid even though my infraction was unintentional.

For the ancient Jews, a violation of God’s laws committed even in ignorance was taken very seriously. The Old Testament recognized and provided for unintentional sins through appropriate sacrifices: “If a person sins unintentionally against any of the commandments . . . let him offer to the Lord . . . a young bull without blemish as a sin offering” (Lev. 4:2-3).

Old Testament sacrifices were more than a reminder that accidental wrongs have consequences. They were given in anticipation that God in His grace would provide atonement even for wrongs we didn’t realize we were doing. He did this through the death of Jesus in our place. God’s grace is far greater than we could ever imagine!

Grace is getting what we do not deserve. Mercy is not receiving what we do deserve.

Insight

Today’s passage from Romans is one of the most beautiful statements in Scripture of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. Because Jesus bore our sins on the cross, He has made us righteous in God’s eyes. This righteousness comes through faith in Jesus (v.22); is given to us by God’s grace; and, best of all, is free to all who believe (v.24).

Galatians 6:1 – How To Restore A Brother

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Galatians 6:1 ESV)

A person in the church has been found out. A person has sinned against their family. An elder was caught cheating on their taxes. A pastor was fired for  stealing from the congregation. You name the situation and it has happened in the church. This is what Paul is addressing in this passage. We tend to think that Paul should solely give instructions and rebuke to the transgressor regarding how to get right with the church and God. Instead he spends the first five verses addressing the individual who will confront the brother or sister in Christ. To Paul, this could cause a sin or problem just as awful as the one committed by the fallen brother or sister in the first place.

We can learn three things when trying to restore a fellow believer to keep us from sin while doing it. First, we should be spiritual, this is of the utmost importance. If we aren’t right with God and a mature believer our pride and deep rooted sin will surface. Second, we should confront the person in order to restore them and not to shame them. Third, we must understand that the roles have the potential to be reversed and we could be the one in need of restoration. Think of those who have left the church because they were hurt and shamed rather than restored when confronted about their sin. How many of those would have remained in the church if these three principles were considered?

Deuteronomy 10:9 – Enjoying God Forever

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

Therefore Levi has no portion or inheritance with his brothers. The LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God said to him. (Deuteronomy 10:9 ESV)

God is the inheritance the Levites waited a lifetime to get. An inheritance is something of great value and often changes everything. In this case, the most valuable thing in the universe was and is God. God Himself was to be their reward. What does that actually mean though? How can a being or personality be inherited by someone?  How would you feel if your parents said that they weren’t leaving money for you, they were just leaving themselves for you to be with the rest of your life?

What this meant was that God would be enjoyed by them forever. God was to be their Lord, and they were to be His people. God is without measure, depthless, and fathomless. As such, He can genuinely be honored, worshipped, and known in increasing joy forever.  There is something different about worshipping the person who created pleasure, instead of wanting to spend forever worshipping the things he created.  Heaven isn’t babies with wings on clouds playing the harp.  Heaven, is truly enjoying God forever.

The Telltale Heart

February 5, 2014 — by David C. McCasland

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Read: 1 John 3:16-24

If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. —1 John 3:20

Bible in a Year:
Exodus 36-38; Matthew 23:1-22

Recently I read about a private investigator in the US who would knock on a door, show his badge to whoever answered, and say, “I guess we don’t have to tell you why we’re here.” Many times, the person would look stunned and say, “How did you find out?” then go on to describe an undiscovered criminal act committed long ago. Writing inSmithsonian magazine, Ron Rosenbaum described the reaction as “an opening for the primal force of conscience, the telltale heart’s internal monologue.”

We all know things about ourselves that no one else knows—failures, faults, sins—that although confessed to God and forgiven by Him may come back to accuse us again and again. John, one of Jesus’ close followers, wrote about God’s love for us and the call to follow His commands, saying: “By this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things” (1 John 3:19-20).

Our confidence toward God grows out of His love and forgiveness in Christ, not our performance in life. “We know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us” (v.24).

God, who knows everything about us, is greater than our self-condemnation.

No condemnation now I dread,
I am my Lord’s and He is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine. —Wesley

The one who receives Christ will never receive God’s condemnation.

Psalm 150:6 – The Praise Of The Psalmist

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:6 ESV)

The book of Psalms is often known for its songs and prayers of praise. These Psalms of praise are often quoted and used in the praise songs we sing at church. They are found in inspirational greeting cards given for births, weddings, birthdays, and even graduations. We probably all know a verse or two from the Psalms by heart.

Interestingly, the last verse of the last Psalm expresses the desire of everything that has breath to praise the Lord. We can read this and agree whole heartedly. We read verses that describe his steadfast love (Psalm 117:2), his wonderful deeds (Psalm 9:1), and the Lord being our rock (Psalm 18:2). These are all great attributes of God that we should rejoice in and praise him for. But, there are many more verses in the Psalms that are of praise to a God when all around them seems to be crumbling. We read at times the Psalmist feels that he has been forsaken by God (Psalm 22), has been hated by others (Psalm 35:19), and is in the pit of destruction (Psalm 4:2). This is of great comfort to us. We must remember that these men who wrote these Psalms were men like us. They were often troubled, going through hard times, and even feeling as though God had abandoned them. We don’t always have to be on a spiritual high or  feeling good to give the praise to God that he deserves as we learn from the writers of the Psalms.
by Short Daily Devotions

Psalm 51:12 – On Fire!

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
(Psalm 51:12 ESV)

Have you ever met someone who had just become a Christian and was “on fire” for God?  Did you say to yourself, “I wish I were still like that?” We don’t intend for it to happen, but after time, that passion or joy often ebbs and other things in life take priority and focus.  Or maybe, you never even had that “fire” because you were saved at an early age and have been a Christian for nearly your entire life.  Whatever the reason is, you are not alone. In fact, the Psalmist even asked for that joy to be restored as it once had been.  As we read this we must realize that salvation is from the Lord and not of our own doing.  We often substitute the “your” in this verse with “my”.  Read these verses today and focus on the work of Jesus in our salvation and allow Him to bring back the joy of the Gospel that may have taken a backseat in your life.
by Short Daily Devotions

Ezra 5:12 – Sins of Our Fathers

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

But because our fathers had angered the God of heaven, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed his house and carried away the people to Babylonia. (Ezra 5:12 ESV)

The Israelites had been back in Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity for about twenty years. They had returned to rebuild the temple and God’s great city Jerusalem. As they continued their work, they were questioned by Persian officials as to the authorization of the building project. The Israelites’ response was that it was originally validated by king Cyrus (Ezra 1) and that they were exiled because of their fathers’ sins. They were acknowledging the sins committed, not as a way to criticize, but to recognize what the cause of the captivity had been. We can learn from our fathers’ sin when we aren’t afraid to admit or confess that sin. However, if there is not an admission of previous sin, we cannot learn from it, and we will often repeat it. Are we afraid to admit past generations’ sin because it bares striking resemblance to our own? If we humbly admit that we aren’t perfect and understand those who came before us aren’t, we can learn from their mistakes.
by Short Daily Devotions